Category: News & Events

** Join EDG’s Satellite Meditation Group (SMG) for a New Book Study! **

Published on by BHS

Starting February 1, SMG will explore *Awakening the Buddha Within* by Lama Surya Das. If you’d like to participate, email us at vsmg.mgr@gmail.com for weekly reminders and the Zoom link. We meet virtually on Saturday mornings at 10 AM for a 30-minute gentle guided Vipassana meditation, followed by an hour of book reading and discussion.

In *Awakening the Buddha Within*, Lama Surya Das shows how we can awaken to who we really are to lead a more compassionate, enlightened, and balanced life.  The book highlights the guidelines and key principles embodied in the noble Eight-Fold Path and the traditional Three Enlightenment Trainings common to all schools of Buddhism: practicing mindfulness, concentration, and awareness of the present moment.

Filled with engaging stories and spiritual practices, this book is a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced students of Buddhism.

Lama Surya Das is a renowned Western Buddhist teacher and scholar, affectionately called “The Western Lama” by the Dalai Lama.
 
** Select Reviews: **
“One of the most helpful and enlightening Dharma books I have read, deepening and enriching my personal practice. It’s one I want to read over and over again.” –Harry A. (SMG Member)

“A warm, accessible, deep, brilliantly written exploration and adventure along the Buddhist path.” –Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D
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“This is a great achievement, and I feel deeply grateful for it.”  –Thich Nhat Hanh

We look forward to sharing this enlightening journey with you!

April 11-22nd, 2025 Insight Meditation Retreat

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Bhante Gavesi’s 12-Day Insight Meditation Retreat April 2025 @ American Bodhi Center is now open for registration. 

Retreat Details:
Check in: April 11 2025
Check out: April 22 2025
Meals: Vegetarian
Fee: Accommodation and meals are provided at no cost by ABC. Donations are welcome
Address: American Bodhi Center 29123 Mellman Rd, Hempstead, TX 77445 
Contact: abcretreatteam@gmail.com

Registration link:
https://forms.gle/EA8PQJydRhtp5J7F

About Ven. Gavesi:
Ven. Gavesi, a Malaysian Bhikkhu, is now the spiritual advisor of Peace House in Penang Malaysia. Ordained in 2001 by Myanmar’s late Sayadaw U Pandita, he’s led numerous retreats and shared Dharma in the USA, Europe and Asia for over two decades. 

Bhante Rāhula’s EDG Dhamma Talks

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We are very excited to announce that Bhante Rāhula from Mexico will be giving talks at EDG on 5/26/2024 and 6/23/2024. This will be Bhante’s first time sharing his teaching at EDG and we look forward to his presentations. Bhante is an expert in Abhidhamma, a skilled speaker, and an educator.

In these initial talks with EDG, Bhante would like to share and explore practical ways to apply the Dhamma in our daily lives.

Introducing Bhante Rāhula

Bhante Rāhula, born in Mexico, has spent the last 22 years in Asia in various periods, where he has practiced and studied the Dhamma.

He was ordained in Myanmar by Sayadaw Dr. Nandamālābhivaṃsa, who is his preceptor. Since 2004 he has received meditation guidance from Sayadaw U Tejaniya. For 6 years, Bhante studied Suttas and Abhidhamma with Sayadaw Dr. Ukkamsacara in Macau. In 2019, he completed a course on Buddhist scriptures from Harvard University.

He underwent monastic Vinaya training for 2 years in Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary in Malaysia under the guidance of Ven. Ariyadhammika, where he also led retreats and Dhamma activities for the local community.

For the last 7 years, Bhante has offered continuous weekly courses on the anatomy of the mind (applied Abhidhamma) in English and Spanish, followed online by students in more than 15 countries.

In the beginning of 2023, Bhante conducted a Dhamma tour in South America, leading retreats and talks in Uruguay, Colombia and Ecuador.

Currently, Bhante is constructing the Mexican Buddhist Center (Paññābhūmi) to introduce and propagate the Buddha’s teaching in South America. He is also actively involved in diverse programs to aid parts of the society in overcoming drug addiction and alcoholism, as well as supporting educational campaigns for children and teens to prevent such problem in this region.

Below are a few pictures from retreats and events led by Bhante Rāhula:

Mexican Buddhist Center (Paññābhūmi)
Mexican Buddhist Center (Paññābhūmi)
Talks for children
Talks to 2,000 parents of drug addicts
Talk to relieve stress and develop the Brahmavihārā for doctors
Retreat in South America

Here are a few Dhamma talks by Bhante Rāhula:

Weekly Nikaya Reading Class

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Presently, we are on the Anguttara Nikaya translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi of Nikaya series. We meet at 7:00PM to 8:30PM central time every Sunday via Zoom. Whoever is interested, please contact nikaya.mgr@gmail.com. Mr James Chao, the founder and leader of the Nikaya Reading Class, ordered some copies of Anguttara Nikaya for participants of the reading class from EDG. Each copy of the Anguttara Nikaya will be sold at a special rate of $20/copy as a donation to Jade Buddha Temple and as an invitation to the reading class. It is a wonderful opportunity to bring you closer to the Buddha’s teachings. FYI. You can also purchase the Anguttara Nikaya on Amazon. For those who are interested, please reach out to EDG for purchase.